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Black-out means wearing black from head to toe, or almost wearing black from head to toe. I have some clients who like to dress this way in the Spring and Summer because they simply LOVE to wear black. In the Summer months, you can showcase skin wearing black-out, which reduces the expanse of black clothing on the body. You can also add dark grey, navy, black lace, shiny textures, flouncy silhouettes and metallics to the outfit to soften and brighten the vibe.

The outfit on the left is warm weather black-out with a touch of grey. The outfit on the right is Summer black-out all the way. Personally, I’d have preferred the outfit on the right with metallic sandals and clutch. I’d have added white pearls to the outfit on the left to brighten things up.

There are countless ways to wear Spring and Summer black-out. To my eye, black-out looks best when there’s a range of textures and some movement in the outfit. That way the black looks less flat and more alive. Or even better, when you add hints of metallic and/or dark blue. Here are three ensembles to get the creative juices flowing. Note: each of the ensembles can be remixed with any of the pairs of shoes and either bag. The textured topper can be worn across all three looks.

Wide Crops & Silk Top

Combine a pair of black wide cropped pants, culottes or jeans with a silky black top to create textural interest in the outfit. The shine of the black top makes a big difference. A silky cami layered over a black tee is a fun way to go. Finish off the look with metallic, navy or black footwear and bag. It’s by no means essential, but matching the bag with the footwear is an easy way to pull together your look.

Dress & Textured Topper

Combine a black knitted or woven dress with a textured or patterned black and charcoal grey or navy topper. Finish off the look with metallic, navy or black footwear and bag. By all means wear flats with a dress. WHY NOT?

Flared Crops & Flouncy Lace

Combine a pair of trendy bottoms like black flared crops with a flouncy black top that has lace detailing. The flounces add movement to the outfit, which prevents the all-black vibe from looking lifeless. The lace adds textural interest. Finish off the look with metallic, navy or black footwear and bag. Navy nail polish is fun with the look. Tying a neckerchief to your bag is another way to go. Add jewellery, eyewear and watch as desired.

This is a great look. I don’t too black-out outfits too often outside of dancing, but when ocassionally I have fun playing with the look, and this is precisely how it works the best on me: with mix of textures, little touches of other colors and some skin. I am itching to wearmy new black Loft culottes and need to see if I ahve the right blck top for them with interesting non-flat texture.

While I do wear black, it is rarely from head to toe, especially in warmer weather. These looks are interesting to me and I like the column of “color” idea. I think adding footwear and bags in lighter, brighter tones to break it up or try it with navy/ink would be likely. Since I could shop my closet for the crops and silk or lace looks, I’ll give them a whirl and see if I must add contrast. Thanks for the ideas, Angie.

All my black clothes thank you for this! Surprisingly, I really like the look on the right, it’s very different than what I would usually wear and I’m interested in playing around with it. But I must find something similar to that Chloe top, it is TDF!!!

As much as I rely on black and darker colors, I rarely do black head to toe. I usually break it up with blue denim, metallics, or another neutral or color. I also love the way a mostly black outfit can be such an effective backdrop for one great print.

I like it best for more dressy ocaassions. Did this last year for a formal function. Long crepe black skirt, black silk cami under a silver and black jacket with silver sandals and clutch.
You just inspired me to do this for a more casual event next week. black crops, black light weight knit top, and a black and beige flared jacket with bone loafers.

I did a double take this morning when I saw the picture. I’m not used to so much black in ensembles posted here. All of the looks are lovely but I tend to want color, especially during the summer. All that darkness in our extreme heat feels stifling, even if it’s just in my mind.

This is a sophisticated look and I admire it oh so much on others. However, I am trying hard to get most of the black out of my wardrobe. I have used it as a crutch for too many years and I feel that I look brighter and happier in other colors.

I love wearing black in summer more than any other time of year and maybe it is because more skin shows. I have the texture part down but had not thought of movement. I can hardly wait for it to warm up enough to try some of these ideas. Thank you.

Thumbs up from me! Love those cropped plaid pants on the left. Somehow all black outfits seem even more chic in the summer, because it seems more deliberate, when most people reach for white and/or more colourful pieces.

I don’t do all black when both items are black – I wear all black dresses with black shoes in fall and winter, but not a black shirt and black pants. In general, I like a bit of contrast, like black with gray or black with dark denim. In spring and summer, if I wear black I tend to choose to mix it with some sort of color. I do favor neutrals, so my “color” may be gold or white. So if I wear a black dress, I tend to pair it with nude, white, or metallic shoes or with a pair of black and white shoes. I actually have really been into two toned wedges. A few years ago, I had a pair with a white toe strap, black wedge and black ankle strap and I looooved them and got so many compliments. Last year, I replaced them and also chose a black and white look with a white toe strap and a black and white ankle strap. Along the same vein, I also have a pair of nude and black wedges with a black toe strap and tan ankle strap and a pair of block heeled sandals with a snake skin print fabric toe strap and black leather ankle strap with tan leather block heels. I like to mix those items with black outfits.

Well I’m sure you know I love this! These outfits are dressier than my usual style but I really like them. The cami over tee idea is so 90s and I want to wear it right now – a new silk cami with a deep v neck has been on my spring shopping list but I might be able to pull it off with what I have.

I agree completely about the importance of mixing different textures and showing some skin to break up the flatness of all-black.

I will probably wear some black outfits this summer, too, though not far as often as I did some years ago. And I agree that black summer outfits look better if you show some skin and add silver items or white pearls.
However, nowadays, I will ALSO add a NON-NEUTRAL item. This is an integral part of my present style.

Love all black and this look. So simple but sophisticated. I actually wore it to work this morning. I can also wear this in the evening for spring and summer. I don’t have a silky black cami but can see multiple uses for one….hummmm.

Win win win, all round. It is my main neutral, it suits my colouring and I love wearing black. My most distinctive decision style-wise recently had actually been to focus fully and figure out black (and/or/with white) for all my seasons, because there are challenges that come from lifestyle, climate, means of transportation, office dress code. This post is really inspiring for warmer weather related challenges.

Although black-out is poison eye to me, I'm with those who can appreciate it on others from time to time. Lots of texture, skin and metallic. Bright red or blue hair helps too. Personally, it's a look that makes me unhappy. I wear ink-out, or black with white instead.

I look great in all-black but have never done it in the summer because it’s too much of a contrast to what people around me wear. I could get away with all-black at a more “formal” events, however. I’m going to try the texture and metallic tips!

It’s true that all-black can look very depressing….reminds me too much of a tired housewife I knew who preferred to wear dark, frumpy clothes because that way the stains on her clothes weren’t so visible. So unless the all-black looks very “intentional” and has a touch of class, it can give an impression of lazy dressing.

Even though I’m not wearing as much black as I used to, I really like this. I have all the pieces to put this kind of look together, though I would definitely accessorize with metallic shoes and purse.

For me, black out is basically “concert black,” and always reminds me of performances. I do love lots of texture in my black, and the arty quality of head to toe black lends a strong and creative “aura” to the wearer. Since my dress is now part of a therapeutic persona, I find that black and white is a great choice for workdays. If I had to stick to “uniform colors,” I’d choose black and white — there are so many possibilities. I need to work this summer on mixing blue and navy!

I had a pair of black and white windowpane crops a few years back that fit into this formula very well. Lately, though, I’ve been preferring to add some color, especially during the spring and summer months.

The black on black on black probably works in northern/urban areas. Indeed, it is a very sophisticated, beautifully edgier look. However, I live in southern Arizona. With intense sunshine 300 days a year, we would cook in black clothes. Maybe dove gray on dove gray would work better, here. And more casual….here, too.

My mother would have looked fabulous in this ensemble with her coal-black hair. I do not have her bold coloring. “Ink Out” is as dark as I can go! However, I will save that for winter. I like color in summer.

I actually prefer a black out in spring/summer to Autumn/winter because you can show a lot more skin in the warmer months and that lightens up the look a lot for me. I love black but rarely wear head to toe black in winter. I much prefer it in winter with liberal doses of white. But in spring/summer with lots of skin and metallic accents, I am a big yes!

I have one and only one summer “black out” outfit which is slimming and cool, but also makes me feel like I’m dressing to emulate characters from The Matrix. I wear it when I have nothing else suitable for a given setting, but it’s not my favourite. Love seeing this look on others, though!

I first started wearing it when I lived in the East Village in the 80s, so for me it has downtown connotations. You need a good silhouette, different textures and lots of glowing skin. Good sunglasses a must!

I love black and think it looks sophisticated on most people. I like the black out look on others, but not me. When I wear black I partner it with great shoes, bags and accessories. In spring and summer I wear black with bare arms or legs showing and always pair my black with at least one other color or a print.
When my time on earth is over, I want people to wear black (not because they are in mourning, but because I think it is classy and sophisticated), their boldest jewelry, and a great pair of shoes!

I like the IDEA of dressing in all black. I think it looks chic & sophisticated & it’s something I aspire to but can’t quite force myself to do. I have such an emotional response to color that I would feel a little bit dead if I didn’t wear some color somewhere.

I have moved away from all black looks since my skin is so fair and the color near my face ages me. Having said that I do wear dressy black wide leg pant and LBD outfits when going out. I love the styling of the looks you put together and will definitely consult the post in a week when I have a fancy gala to attend. I’m hoping to wear a new LBD that night.

this brings so much joy to my heart! especially the draped Dress in the middle is absolutely wonderful. i really enjoy wearing all black all year round as it’s always polished and sophisticated, and fits most occasions. it’s my best loved (non-)colour

FASCINATING. Personally, I think that black-out can look harsh, sickly and unattractive – and not at all chic and polished. It is often “poison eye” to me. One has to be VERY careful with black-out to my eye.

Angie, this is what makes looking at your own Looks so interesting to me: their lightness and structure is enormously appealing to me when seen on YOU – but I, on the contrary, hardly ever wear light and bright (especially not all over!), as I feel extremely neon-y, almost shrill in it, and more eye-catching than I’d like to be. On the other side, I might be very eye-catching when donning gothy or Avantgarde garments, but it does feel absolutely right and visually comfortable to me! I think the “inner eye” and especially the “poison eye” and its slow adjustment to Trends is the most interesting Thing!

Another reason why I adore black (and – for the same purpose, but on other People, White): it makes the material and cut stand out much more, but keeps a calm vibe.
I’ve explained once that the colours I surround myself with have a certain meaning and effect on me, and black is the Epitome of silent, calm, grounded, profound and depth – which I sometimes miss in- and outside of myself and my surroundings. So Dressing all black has a calming, soothing effect on me and helps me Focus more on important things first, without all possible distractions. A flowery print on White Background could never do that for me – it’s more of visual art, I’d rather hang it in my living room to Showcase it as Piece of art than wear it